Roof bracket with air hose clip

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an improved roof bracket that is configured to retain a plank that provides support to a roofer. The roof bracket is configured to allow efficient and safe roof construction. The roof bracket includes a main body having an air hose tab that has a first air hose retention area formed through the air hose tab. The first air hose retention area has a first diameter configured to securably retain an air hose of the pneumatic roofing tool such that the weight of the air hose does not cause the air hose to slide through the air hose tab. The roof bracket may also include interchange angled brackets that allow the plank to be supported at varying angles.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application relates to and claims priority benefits fromU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/365,115 entitled “RoofBracket With Air Hose Clip,” filed Mar. 18, 2002, which is incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to improvements in roofbrackets and more particularly relates to a roof bracket that includesan air hose clip and/or a level varying angled bracket.

[0003] Many buildings, such as residential homes, are constructed suchthat roofs of the buildings are inclined. The inclined roofs are usuallycovered with a plurality of overlapping, aligned rows of shingles. Theshingles, which are secured to the roof through fasteners, such asnails, screws, or the like, are made of asphalt, wood or other suchmaterials. Typically, shingles are fastened to the roof starting at thebottom, or lower-most edge of the roof.

[0004] Often, the incline of the roof is such that a roofer cannot walkup the roof. In order to fasten shingles on the roof at higher levels,the roofer needs to elevate to higher levels, despite the incline of theroof. Many roofers utilize a set of roof brackets in order to assistelevate to higher levels on the roof.

[0005] Typically, a first roof bracket is fastened to a portion of thetop half of the last layer of shingles that were applied. Also, a secondroof bracket is placed a desired distance away from the first roofbracket. The two roof brackets are usually parallel with each other. Inorder to provide a foothold for the roofer, a plank, such as a 2×4 or4×6 piece of lumber, is positioned within retaining features of the roofbrackets. Thus, the plank provides the roofer with a support, therebypermitting the roofer to stand on the plank. As successive layers ofshingles are applied, additional roof brackets are secured to the roofto allow the roofer to elevate even higher, until the entire roof isshingled. As a new set of roof brackets is applied, the roof bracketsfrom the lower levels may be removed; or, the roof brackets may remainon the roof until the entire roof is shingled.

[0006] Most shingles are applied to roofs through the use of a pneumaticnail gun. Typical nail guns are attached to an air compressor throughlong air hoses, such as a ¼″ or ⅜″ diameter air hose. Usually, the airhose is a minimum of fifty feet long and connected to an air compressorthat is located on the ground or a lift truck.

[0007] As shingles are applied on a steep roof, roofers typically restthe nail gun down on the wood plank in order to align or set a shingleto be nailed. When the nail gun is placed on the wood plank, the forceof gravity typically removes all the slack of the air hose. Thus, whenthe roofer picks up the air hose, the roofer must lift and pull theweight of all of the fifty feet or more of air hose. The repeatedlifting of the weight of the air hose may fatigue the roofer.Additionally, the weight of the air hose may cause the nail gun to fallfrom the plank upon which it initially rests, thereby causing damage tothe nail gun as it impacts the ground. Also, a falling nail gun is aserious threat to workers on the ground (if one should be unfortunateenough to be within close proximity of the falling nail gun).

[0008] Thus a need exists for a roof bracket apparatus that allows aroofer to work more efficiently and safely. In particular, a need existsfor a roof bracket that allows a roofer to more efficiently and safelyuse a nail gun, such as a pneumatic nail gun.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved roofbracket configured to retain a support structure, such as a plank, thatprovides support to a roofer. The improved roof bracket has a main bodycomprising a toe strap, a roof-abutting member, and an air hose tab.

[0010] The toe strap includes a base and is configured to securablyretain a portion of the support structure at a first angle with respectto the base. The roof-abutting member is connected to the toe strap. Theimproved roof bracket is configured to be removably secured to a roofthrough at least one fastener positioned through the roof-abuttingmember.

[0011] The air hose tab includes a first air hose retention area formedtherethrough. The first air hose retention area has a first diameterconfigured to securably retain an air hose of a pneumatic roofing tool,such as a nail gun. The air hose tab may also include an air hose inletarea that allows an air hose to pass into the air hose tab. The air hoseinlet area has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameterof the first air hose retention area. The diameter of the air hose inletis also greater than the diameter of the air hose. The air hose tab mayalso include a second air hose retention area that has a second diameterthat is different from that of the first air hose retention area. Ingeneral, the air hose tab may have more than two air hose retentionareas, such that each of the air hose retention areas have a diameterthat differs from that of another of said air hose retention areas. Theair hose tab may extend away from the toe strap and the roof-abuttingmember. Overall, at least one of the air hose retention areas areconfigured so that the weight of an air hose does not cause the air hoseto slide through the air hose tab. Further, the air hose retention areasare configured to securably retain an air hose of the pneumatic roofingtool so that the weight of the pneumatic roofing tool does not cause theair hose to slide through the air hose tab even when the pneumaticroofing tool is unsupported by the support structure.

[0012] The improved roof bracket may also include at least one angledbracket that is removably secured to at least one of the toe strap andthe roof-abutting member. The angled bracket is configured to supportthe support structure at a second angle with respect to the base of thetoe strap. Further, the improved roof bracket may include a plurality ofangled brackets that are interchangeable and removably secured to atleast one of the toe strap and the roof-abutting member. Each of theplurality of angled brackets has an inclined strap that may be orientedat an angle that is different from that of other of the plurality ofangled brackets, such that the plurality of angled brackets areconfigured to support the support structure at varying angles withrespect to the base of the toe strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a roof bracket accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 2 illustrates a roof bracket secured to a roof according toan embodiment of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a roof bracket according to analternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detaileddescription of certain embodiments of the present invention, will bebetter understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in thedrawings, certain embodiments. It should be understood, however, thatthe present invention is not limited to the arrangements andinstrumentalities shown in the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017]FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a roof bracket 10according to an embodiment of the present invention. The roof bracket 10may be formed of steel, aluminum, lead, iron, wood, or other suchmaterials that are capable of supporting the weight of a roofer. Theroof bracket 10 includes a main body 100 having a roof-abutting member102 that connects to, or is otherwise formed integral with, a lowerstrap 106. The plane of the lower strap 106 may be perpendicular to theplane of the roof-abutting member 102. That is, the lower strap 106 mayconnect to, or otherwise be formed integral with, the roof-abuttingmember 102 at a right angle. Alternatively, the lower strap 106 mayconnect to, or otherwise be formed integral with, the roof-abuttingmember 102 at any desired angle.

[0018] The lower strap 106 also connects to, or is formed integral with,a support brace 108. In FIG. 1, the lower strap 106 and the supportbrace 108 are formed, or connect to each other, such that an obtuseangle θ is formed between the lower strap 106 and the support brace 108(with respect to an interior cavity 107). Alternatively, however, thelower strap 106 and the support brace 108 may connect at other angles.

[0019] The support brace 108 is formed integral with (or may otherwisebe connected to) a toe support member 109, which may be, as shown inFIG. 1, parallel with the plane of the lower strap 106. The toe supportmember 109 assists in supporting a toe strap 110, which is positionedwithin the roof bracket 10. The toe strap 110 may be oriented in avariety of fixed angles. As shown in FIG. 1, the plane of the toe strap110 is perpendicular to that of the roof-abutting member 102. The toesupport member 109 may be formed at the same angle as a terminal end 111of the toe strap 110. That is, the toe support member 109 may cradle theterminal end of the toe strap 110. The size of the toe strap member 109may vary depend on the size of the plank to be used in conjunction withthe roof bracket 10.

[0020] The toe support member 109 cradles the toe strap 110 at oneterminal end 111 while another terminal end 113 of the toe strap 110abuts against a front surface 115 of the roof-abutting member 102. Thetoe strap 110 may be secured to the front surface 115 of theroof-abutting member 102 and the toe support member 109 through screws,nails, or other such fasteners. Optionally, the toe strap 110 may bewelded into place. Alternatively, the toe strap 110 may be formedintegral with the rest of the roof bracket 10.

[0021] The toe strap 110 provides a support base for a plank (not shownin FIG. 1). That is, a plank may slidably, or otherwise (such assnapably), engage the toe strap 110. When two roof brackets 10 arealigned and positioned parallel with each other, a plank may be placedacross the toe straps 110 of the roof brackets 110, such that one roofbracket 10 supports one portion of the plank, while the other roofbracket 10 supports a second portion of the plank. Thus, a level, orotherwise walkable plane, is created by the insertion of a plank intothe toe straps 110 of two (or more) roof brackets 10. As shown in FIG.1, the toe strap also includes a plank-overlapping member 120 that mayoverlap a portion of the inserted plank to help ensure that the plankdoes not become dislodged. The plank-overlapping member may include afastener through-hole that allows the passage of a fastener, such as anail, into the plank. Alternatively, the plank-overlapping member 120may not be included on the toe strap 110. Optionally, theplank-overlapping member 120 may extend from the toe support member 109as opposed to the toe strap 110.

[0022] The roof bracket 10 also includes fastener notches 104 formedthrough an upper end of the roof-abutting member 102. The roof bracket10 may be positioned on a roof and secured into place by fasteners, suchas nails or screws, which are positioned through the fastener notches104. While three fastener notches 104 are shown in FIG. 1, more or lessfastener notches 104 may be formed through the roof-abutting member 102.The weight of the plank, the weight of the roofer standing on the plank,and the orientation of the fastener notches 104 in the direction of lineA typically ensures that the roof brackets 10 do not slide away from thefasteners positioned within the fastener notches 104.

[0023] The toe strap member 109 is connected to, or otherwise formedintegral with, the air hose tab 112. The air hose tab 112 extendsoutwardly from the toe strap member 109 away from toe strap 110. Theplane of the air hose tab 112 may be parallel with the toe strap 110, orangled upwardly or downwardly therefrom. The air hose tab 112 includesan air hose inlet area 114, a first air hose retention area 116, and asecond air hose retention area 118. The first air hose retention area116 has a first diameter D₁, while the second air hose retention area118 has a second diameter D₂.

[0024]FIG. 2 illustrates a roof bracket 10 secured to a roof 130. Asshown in FIG. 2, only one roof bracket 10 is shown, but another roofbracket 10 would support another end of the plank 132. An air hose 134of a pneumatic nail gun 136 is inserted into the air hose tab 112through the air hose inlet area 114, which is wider than the diameter ofthe air hose 134. The diameter of the air hose 134 is slightly greaterthan the diameter of at least one of the diameters of the first air hoseretention area 116 and the second air hose retention area 118. Becausethe diameter of the air hose 134 is slightly greater than at least oneof the first and second air hose retention areas 116, 118, at least oneof the first and second air hose retention areas 116, 118 may securablyretain the air hose 134.

[0025] While the air hose 134 is secured within at least one of thefirst and second air hose retention areas 116, 118, the air hoseretention area 116 or 118 that secures the air hose 134 does not securethe air hose to the point where air flow within the air hose 134 issubstantially constricted. However, one of the air hose retention areas116 or 118 receives and retains the air hose 134 such that the movementof the air hose 134 through the air hose retention area 116 or 118 ishindered or completely restricted. For example, the air hose retentionareas 116 and 118 may be formed such that unless the air hose 134 isremoved from the air hose retention area 116 or 118, the air hose 134will not slide through the air hose retention area 116 or 118.Alternatively, the air hose retention areas 116 and 118 may be formedsuch that a desired force (such as one exerted by a roofer pulling onthe air hose 134) may be sufficient to slide the air hose 134 throughthe air hose retention area 116 or 118. Alternatively, the air hose tab112 may include more or less than 2 air hose retention areas toaccommodate varying sizes of air hoses.

[0026] When the air hose 134 is inserted into the air hose retentionarea 116 or 118, and the nail gun 136 is set down on the plank 132, theslack 140 of the air hose 134 does not fall toward the earth.Consequently, when the roofer picks up the nail gun 136, the roofer doesnot have to pull the entire weight of the air hose 134. Additionally,because the air hose retention area 116 or 118 retains the air hose 134,if the nail gun 136 is accidentally kicked, pushed, or knocked off theplank 132, the nail gun 136 will not hit the ground. Instead, the nailgun 136 will dangle, or otherwise be suspended, with respect to the airhose tab 112 due to the retention of the air hose 134 within one of theair hose retention areas 116 or 118. Thus, costly damage to the air gunand/or injury to a worker on the ground is prevented.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the plane of the plank 132 in the directionof line E is at a fixed angle with respect to the incline of the roof130 in the direction of line F. Typically, the plane of the plank 132 inthe direction of line E is perpendicular to the incline F of the roof130. However, the roof bracket 10 may include one or more variableangled brackets that may be inserted into the toe strap 110.

[0028]FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a roof bracket 10 according toan alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3,the roof bracket 10 may include an angled bracket 150. The angledbracket 150 may be clipped or otherwise secured to the toe strap 110through a securing member 152, such as a clip or latching member.Further, the angled bracket 150 may be secured to the toe strap 110and/or the front surface 115 of the roof-abutting member 102 throughvarious fasteners, such as screws, nails and the like. Optionally, theangled bracket 150 may be bonded, or otherwise integrally formed, to thetoe strap 110 and/or the front surface 115 of the roof-abutting member102. An additional or spare angled bracket 160 may be removably securedto the roof bracket 10 within the interior cavity 107. The angledbracket 160 may be angled or oriented the same or differently than theangled bracket 150

[0029] The angled bracket 150 includes a base 151 formed integrally withan upwardly extending brace 153. The brace 153 is, in turn, integrallyformed with an inclined strap 155. The base 151 is also integrallyformed with an upright member 157, which may or may not connect to theinclined strap 155. The plane of the upright member 157 is parallel withthe plane of the roof-abutting member 102, while the plane of the base151 is parallel with the plane of the toe strap 110. The base 151 may besecured to the toe strap 110 through securing member 152.

[0030] When the angled bracket 150 is secured to the toe strap 110 asshown in FIG. 2, a plank 170 may be supported by the roof bracket 10 atan angle a, which is the same as the angle between the base 151 and theinclined strap 155. Thus, a roofer may be supported by a plank that isoriented at an angle other than perpendicular to the incline of theroof. Further, various angled members may be used with the roof bracket10. For example, the inclined straps of each angled member may beoriented at different angles with respect to the respective bases. Eachangled bracket may be individually inserted into the toe strap 110 (orformed integrally with the toe strap 110), and subsequently removed, toenable a plank to be inserted at differing angles according to thepreference of a particular roofer.

[0031] Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a roof bracketthat allows a roofer to work more efficiently and safely. In particular,embodiments of the present invention provide a roof bracket that allowsa roofer to more efficiently and safely use a roofing tool, such as apneumatic nail gun.

[0032] While the invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to theparticular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include allembodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. An improved roof bracket configured to retain a support structurethat provides support to a roofer, said improved roof bracket having amain body comprising: a toe strap having a base, said toe strapconfigured to securably retain a portion of the support structure at afirst angle with respect to said base; a roof-abutting member connectedto said toe strap, the improved roof bracket configured to be removablysecured to a roof through at least one fastener positioned through saidroof-abutting member; and an air hose tab having a first air hoseretention area formed therethrough, said first air hose retention areahaving a first diameter configured to securably retain an air hose of apneumatic roofing tool.
 2. The improved roof bracket of claim 1, whereinsaid air hose tab further comprises an air hose inlet area that allowsan air hose to pass into said air hose tab, said air hose inlet areahaving a second diameter that is greater than said first diameter ofsaid first air hose retention area.
 3. The improved roof bracket ofclaim 1, wherein said air hose tab further comprises a second air hoseretention area, said second air hose retention area having a seconddiameter that differs from said first diameter.
 4. The improved roofbracket of claim 1, wherein said air hose tab comprises more than twoair hose retention areas, each of said air hose retention areas having adiameter that differs from another of said air hose retention areas. 5.The improved roof bracket of claim 1, wherein said air hose tab extendsaway from said toe strap and said roof-abutting member.
 6. The improvedroof bracket of claim 1, further comprising at least one angled bracketthat is removably secured to at least one of said toe strap and saidroof-abutting member, said angled bracket being configured to supportthe support structure at a second angle with respect to said base ofsaid toe strap.
 7. The improved roof bracket of claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of angled brackets that are interchangeable andremovably secured to at least one of said toe strap and saidroof-abutting member, each of said plurality of angled brackets havingan inclined strap that is oriented at an angle that is different fromthat of another of said plurality of angled brackets, such that saidplurality of angled brackets are configured to support the supportstructure at varying angles with respect to said base of said toe strap.8. An improved roof bracket configured to retain a plank that providessupport to a roofer, said improved roof bracket configured to allowefficient and safe use of a pneumatic roofing tool, said improved roofbracket comprising: a main body including an air hose tab having a firstair hose retention area formed through said air hose tab, said first airhose retention area having a first diameter configured to securablyretain an air hose of the pneumatic roofing tool such that the weight ofthe air hose does not cause the air hose to slide through said air hosetab
 9. The improved roof bracket of claim 8, wherein said first air hoseretention area is configured to securably retain an air hose of thepneumatic roofing tool such that the weight of the pneumatic roofingtool does not cause the air hose to slide through said air hose tab evenwhen the pneumatic roofing tool is unsupported by the plank.
 10. Theimproved roof bracket of claim 8, wherein said air hose tab furthercomprises an air hose inlet area that allows an air hose to pass intosaid air hose tab, said air hose inlet area having a second diameterthat is greater than said first diameter of said first air hoseretention area.
 11. The improved roof bracket of claim 8, wherein saidair hose tab further comprises a second air hose retention area, saidsecond air hose retention area having a second diameter that isdifferent from said first diameter.
 12. The improved roof bracket ofclaim 8, wherein said air hose tab comprises more than two air hoseretention areas, each of said air hose retention areas having a diameterthat differs from another of said air hose retention areas.
 13. Theimproved roof bracket of claim 8, wherein said air hose tab extendsoutwardly from said main body.
 14. The improved roof bracket of claim 8,further comprising at least one angled bracket that is removably securedto said main body, said angled bracket being configured to support theplank at an orientation other than perpendicular to an incline of aroof.
 15. The improved roof bracket of claim 1, further comprising aplurality of angled brackets that are interchangeable and removablysecured to said main body, each of said plurality of angled bracketshaving an inclined strap angled differently from that of another of saidplurality of angled brackets, such that said plurality of angledbrackets are configured to support the support structure at varyingangles.
 16. An improved roof bracket configured to retain a supportstructure that provides support to a roofer, said improved roof brackethaving a main body comprising: a toe strap having a base, said toe strapconfigured to securably retain a portion of the support structure at afirst angle with respect to said base; a roof-abutting member connectedto said toe strap, the improved roof bracket configured to be removablysecured to a roof through at least one fastener positioned through saidroof-abutting member; and at least one angled bracket that is removablysecured to at least one of said toe strap and said roof-abutting member,said angled bracket being configured to support the support structure ata second angle with respect to said base of said toe strap.
 17. Theimproved roof bracket of claim 16, wherein said at least one angledbracket comprises a plurality of angled brackets that areinterchangeable and removably secured to at least one of said toe strapand said roof-abutting member, each of said plurality of angled bracketshaving an inclined strap that is oriented at an angle that is differentfrom that of another of said plurality of angled brackets, such thatsaid plurality of angled brackets are configured to support the supportstructure at varying angles with respect to said base of said toe strap.